Belfast man convicted of benefit fraud

A man was convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court recently for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Martin McGuigan (37) of Tyrone Street, Belfast claimed Incapacity Benefit totalling £8,418 while failing to declare employment. He was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £34.

He will also have to repay the money he wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

This brings to 441 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.